Guru Nanak Jayanthi or Gurpurab is one of the significant festivals celebrated by sikh community across the globe.The word Gurpurab is combination of two words "Gur" means guru or master and "purab" means parv in Hindi meaning a day.So Gurpurab is the day dedicated to the guru. The day marks the birth anniversary of the founder of sikkhism.gurunnak Jayanthi falls on a full moon day in the month of Karthik according to Hindu lunar calendar.
With guru Granth Sahib which is an holy book of Sikhs in which hymns of sikh gurus are quoted and are read continuously for 48 hours the celebration of gurus birth anniversary begins two days prior to the actual date. " Satguru Nanak pargateya,mitti dundh jagg chaanan Hoya, jiyo kri Suraj Himalaya,taste chhipe andher ploya" Gurpurab means,."Satguru Nanak's emergence cleared spiritual darkness, As sunrise dispells the darkness and stars disappear." The Sikhs remember his teachings and overcome the five vices-lust, greed, attachment,anger and pride.
The Granth Sahib is also carried in procession on a float decorated with flower's throughout the village and city.
On the celebration day,a meal is prepared that is followed by langar, allowing followers to offer seva. The lunch is then prepared by volunteers and is offered to everyone irrespective of cast religion and creed. It consists of Saal,chawal,roti,sabji and halwa..
In the morning sikh devotees perform 'prabhat pheri',during the course of the day, devotees chant and sing hymns. A special prayer is organised at sunset and is known as 'Rehrasi'. According to legends , it is believed that guru Nanak was born at around 1:20AM. Therefore the evening prayer continue till then, as worshippers sing gurubani in his praise.It finally comes to an end around 2:00AM.
Gurpurab is widely celebrated in the northern part of India especially in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
Happy guru Nanak Jayanthi to all sikh community readers.
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